I did hear recently that there was consideration from the NFLPA and agents to boycott the Combine. I don't think it will happen, but we should hope that the negotiations start to go well so we can put that to bed.

_________________Forward down the field!

February 7th, 2011, 5:58 pm

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10408Location: Where ever I'm at now

Re: 2011 NFL Combine

Wayne Fontes wrote:

I did hear recently that there was consideration from the NFLPA and agents to boycott the Combine. I don't think it will happen, but we should hope that the negotiations start to go well so we can put that to bed.

First off, the agents shouldn't be involved in ANY of this, in my opinion. They aren't players or part of the union, and they don't represent the league. They are an outside interested party who should have absolutely no involvement with anything regarding a boycott, lockout or any other such activities.

Secondly, if the NFLPA chose to "boycott" the Combines, they would get a black eye in the court of public opinion. It would be viewed as them firing the opening salvo with absolutely nothing to gain in the offing. So the coaches and managers don't get to see the players work out, or get to interview them. How does that negatively affect the owners? Actually, it puts more money in the owners' pockets, because now they don't have to pay for their staffs to attend, or buy prospects dinner, etc. I think the owners would be somewhat pleased with that development.

_________________I will not put on blinders when it comes to our QBs performances.

February 8th, 2011, 8:07 pm

sweetd20

Pro Bowl Player

Joined: October 13th, 2005, 9:03 amPosts: 2490

Re: 2011 NFL Combine

They can boycott it all they want but these kids aren't going to skip the combine and the chance to increase their payday. Every year there are a bunch of players that skyrocket up the draft based on their combine and/or pro days.

February 9th, 2011, 12:18 am

Wayne Fontes

Color Commentator - John Madden

Joined: January 19th, 2007, 3:21 amPosts: 1920Location: A2

Re: 2011 NFL Combine

I agree with both of you. I think it would be moronic for them to boycott the Combine. Since we already know that the Draft is going to happen, this shouldn't even be a consideration. If the Draft actually taking place hinged on the CBA being completed before it, then I could definitely see this as being a bargaining chip. I also think that the NFL needs a way to wrangle some of these agents from doing what they're doing. Not only the NFL, but the NCAA has some ridiculous rules regarding "amateur" status and how agents affect it.

The players are the only ones who stand to lose any money from doing this. There are a handful of guys who could hurt their status by working out at the combine, Fairley, Bowers, etc. But everyone else has their shot to move up draft boards. I don't think anyone, beside an agent trying to make a buck, would tell a prospect to not attend. Ludicrous.

I couldn't care less if the NFLPA boycotts the combine because what exactly do they do there? The answer is basically nothing. The agents, on the other hand, will show up as usual since they use the time to promote their clients and they would be foolish not to be there. I'd be very surprised if more than a handful refuse to show up.

_________________

February 9th, 2011, 9:22 pm

liontrax

NFL Team Captain

Joined: March 21st, 2005, 2:11 pmPosts: 1584Location: Wolverine, Mi.

Combine

Every year I watch the combine, not for the 40 times or to see who lifts the most, jumps the highest, etc... I prefer to watch the drills, to see who looks the most fluid. See who looks like a natural athlete. I realize none of this means anything if the player in question doesn't have the game tape that proves he is a player. If a kid looks smooth and confident, is in great shape, then runs a great 40, so much the better.This years combine I will be paying extra attention to the corners and linebackers. Of the backers I'm looking forward to seeing are Martez Wilson, Akeem Ayers, Mark Herzlich, Quan Sturdivant, Colin McCarthy and K.J. Wright. These guys could all be taken in the first four rounds. I'm hoping that Detroit is the next address for one or two.Ayers is a bit of an enigma to me, games I've watched he's been all over the field, been in on alot of plays, but doesn't deliver the big hits I'd expect, preferring to grab and drag down or throw down the ball carrier. Maybe I haven't seen enough film on him and am mistaken. If he ends up in Detroit maybe some of Vandenbosch and Suh will rub off on him.Couple of other guys I will be interested in seeing are J.J. Watt and Aldon Smith. Both could be there at 13, and are intriguing prospects.Any input or players you might be looking forward to seeing?

February 25th, 2011, 11:18 am

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10408Location: Where ever I'm at now

Re: Combine

I want to see Mason Foster in agility drills. I liked what I heard about him during the Senior Bowl practices. I want to see Jimmy Smith and Brandon Harris doing their drills and see how they match up to each other. Davon House is another CB prospect that I like. I'd also like to see some of the mid to late round WR prospects that could be added as a third receiver. Just how well they explode out of breaks, catch the ball, etc. I am also interested in seeing just how well Justin Houston does. I'm not necessarily interested in seeing the Lions take him, but I think he's an very underrated prospect. I watched some Georgia games, and he stood out to me. I think he should be rated higher than some of the DE/OLBs that some are rating ahead of him, like Aldon Smith and Ryan Kerrigan.

_________________I will not put on blinders when it comes to our QBs performances.

February 25th, 2011, 1:07 pm

Killwill25

Rookie Player of the Year

Joined: March 5th, 2009, 8:42 pmPosts: 2422Location: Brooklyn, NY

Re: Combine

m2karateman wrote:

I want to see Mason Foster in agility drills. I liked what I heard about him during the Senior Bowl practices. I want to see Jimmy Smith and Brandon Harris doing their drills and see how they match up to each other. Davon House is another CB prospect that I like. I'd also like to see some of the mid to late round WR prospects that could be added as a third receiver. Just how well they explode out of breaks, catch the ball, etc. I am also interested in seeing just how well Justin Houston does. I'm not necessarily interested in seeing the Lions take him, but I think he's an very underrated prospect. I watched some Georgia games, and he stood out to me. I think he should be rated higher than some of the DE/OLBs that some are rating ahead of him, like Aldon Smith and Ryan Kerrigan.

Have you ever watched Jimmy Smith play? He's pretty good and has great size at CB but he's suspect vs the run. He may be a carbon copy of Antonio Cromartie.

At OT, I want to see how Nate Solder moves his feet and how Tyron Smith compares to the other top tackles cause he looks pretty athletic when you watch USC play, especially for a RT. I'm also curious to see how Marcus Cannon from nearby TCU looks cause he is huge.

At LB, pretty much the whole group because I think we can use picks here all throughout the draft. I hope Greg Jones has a good combine.

I like Jerrell Jernigan who is tiny but a real fast WR who could burn it up in the 40. Could be a good value pick in the mid rounds.

There are always a few players not really on my radar yet since I didn't them play (especially teams from out west or smaller schools) that catch my attention, perhaps my favorite part of the combine.

Needless to say I like the Combine workouts and am excited to have numbers/observations to pour over for the next 62 days. Outside of Jernigan and Aldon Smith, I could see all of these guys being potential picks for the Lions in the first three rounds.

_________________Forward down the field!

February 25th, 2011, 3:59 pm

Wayne Fontes

Color Commentator - John Madden

Joined: January 19th, 2007, 3:21 amPosts: 1920Location: A2

Re: 2011 NFL Combine

Looks like that was a bunch of smoke. Maybe it was the Federal mediator.